Things Every Pregnant Woman Should Know

As a pregnant woman, you are about 20 times more likely to contract listeriosis than other healthy adults. Listeria is found in soil and water and animals can carry this bacteria. Though listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking, certain ready-to-eat processed foods, such as cold cuts and hot dogs, can become contaminated after cooking but before packaging. The CDC advises pregnant women not to eat hot dogs and deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot. Avoid getting fluid from hot dog packages on other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces, and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats.